Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-15
SPIRITS AND BEER.
Seven Hundred Niliiss Dollars Spent In
Drinks-uss Of Spirits Decreasing
and Beer Increasing.


WASHINGTON, April IA. Twenty or
more pages Of the quarterly report OF
the Chief of Bureau OF Statistics Gust
out) are devoted to the consumption
of distilled and malt liquors and wines,
and estimates made by recognized au-
thories are given upon the various fea-
lures of this subject. In round num-
bers the consumption of distilled spirits,
domestic and imported, in tins country
is shown to have increased from forty
thee million gallons in 1S40 TO seventy
two millions in 1886; of wines from
four million eight hundred thousand
gallons to twenty-five millions and
OF malt liquors from twenty-three mil
lions to six hundred and forty-two mil
lions.
The consumption per capita during
the same period decreased as regards
distilled spirits from about two and
half gallons to about one and quarter
gallons, and increased as regards wines
from twenty-nine hundredths to thirty
eight hundredths gallons, and malt
LIQUORS from less than one and half
to more than eleven gallons. An elab-
crate statement made by +. NJ. Barrett,
editor of the New York Grocer, by re-
quest of the chief OF the bureau, is
gwen, which sets forth among other
things that the present average ex-
penditure in this country per annum
for malt and spirituons liquors and
beer. at retail, is 800, 100000. The
drinking population is estimated to tie
lin 1856 IA, 1926, AT, making the ave-
rage expenditure per capita $3.50.
Barrett shows by tables covering five
years, from 1882 to 1885 inclusive, that
the consumption OF spirits is de-
creasing, while that of beer is in
creasing, and that there is reduced
use of wine as q beverage.
During this period" he says, the
consumption Of coffee has risen from
8 2-1O pounds per capita to 8 l1-lOO
pounds. Do not these facts show that
milder stimulants are driving out their
fiery competitor and is it not due to
the growing agitation of the tenn
perance question:"
Barrett says the wholesale cost OF
| LIQUORS for which the retailers receive
! s7OO, 100000 is not more than 1900, OOO,-
| 900. He makes brief calculation OF
the cost OF liquors as compared with
| that of food, clothing, and shelter,
reaching the conclusion that the Ameri-
can people expend from $12 to SIT for
| the necessaries named TO every SIG
paid out for liquor.
James A. Welsby, of New York,
furnishes statement to the effect that
only 10 per cent. of the distilled spirits
consumed in this country are used for
medicine and manufacturing purposes.
80 per cent. being used as beverages.
From table covering five years end
ing with 1856 it is learned that the con-
sumption of distilled spirits per capita
has steadily increased in France from
] nipety-four hupdredths gallons to one
| and thirty-two hundredths; that it ma;
varied in this country between one
and forty.six one hundredths il
| 1883, and one and twenty-foul
hundredths gallons in 1884 anC
| 1855 that the United Kingdom con
sumes a little more than q gallon pei
| capita, and that the consumption il
Germany has decreased from one and
thiriy.two hundretbs in 1881 to one
and fourteen hundredths in 1885.
| France, during the same period, in
creased herwine consumption from eigh
| teen and half to nearly thirty-seyer
gallons, while this country and the Uni
ted Kingdom, beginning with less thar
half a gallon per head, show Sigh
falling oil. In The matter of beer con
sumption during this period the United
States increased her average from lit
tie less than ten to little more thar
eleven gallons. The United Kingdom
held her own at about thirty-three gal
Ions, and Germany did the same a
ybout twenty three gallons.